By: Tim Carpenter
Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — The Kansas Farm Bureau’s political action committee endorsed state Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt in the Republican gubernatorial primary.
Schmidt, completing a second term as commissioner of insurance after serving in the Kansas Senate, will be on the Aug. 4 primary ballot with GOP candidates for governor Scott Schwab, Philip Sarnecki, Stacy Rogers, Nick Reinecker, Charlotte O’Hara and Ty Masterson. The Democratic primary features Curt Skoog, Cindy Holscher and Ethan Corson.
“Vicki Schmidt has shown throughout her distinguished career in public service she’s willing to listen and make decisions based on what’s best for Kansas,” said Glenn Brunkow, president of Kansas Farm Bureau.
On Monday, Schmidt said she was honored to have the blessing of farmers and ranchers in Kansas. She said the state’s future depended on agriculture because the industry “impacts the lives of Kansans in every part of our state and when we strengthen agriculture, we will strengthen Kansas.”
Schmidt selected as her lieutenant governor running mate Joe Newland, who is a southeast Kansas farmer, a former KFB president and a former member of the Kansas House.
“Paired with Joe Newland, who has spent his career advocating for agriculture and rural communities, this ticket has the experience, vision and determination to build a brighter future for Kansas,” Brunkow said.
VOTE FBF, or Voters Organized to Elect Farm Bureau Friends, has endorsed candidates for public office who support farming, ranching and rural Kansas for more than 30 years. The 10-member PAC board relies on recommendations of members of Farm Bureau.
The PAC previously endorsed the reelection in 2026 of Republican U.S. Rep. Tracey Mann of the 1st District, U.S. Rep. Derek Schmidt of the 2nd District and U.S. Rep. Ron Estes of the 4th District. In 2024, the PAC endorsed Democratic U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids of the 3rd District.